On Saturday, the head of Russia’s federal security service named Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev as suspects in the murder of Boris Nemtsov.

Anzor Gubashev, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, is escorted by a policeman at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Two men of Chechen origin, Zaur Dadayev and Anzor Gubashev, were charged on March 8 with the murder of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov as the five suspects in the case appeared in court to determine whether they will be officially placed in detention. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Three unidentified suspects detained over the killing of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov hide their faces inside the defendants' cage at the Basmanny district court in Moscow on March 8, 2015. Five suspects accused of involvement in the killing of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov appeared in court to determine whether they will be officially placed in detention. Two Chechens, Zaur Dadayev and Anzor Gubashev were officially accused of 'the murder of Boris Nemtsov and three others are still suspects,' Anna Fadeyeva, spokeswoman for the court in central Moscow told the RIA Novosti news agency. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Suspect Tamerlan Eskerkhanov (R) detained over the killing of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov is escorted by a policeman in a court corridor in Moscow on March 8, 2015. Five suspects accused of involvement in the killing of Nemtsov appeared in court to determine whether they will be officially placed in detention. Two Chechens, Zaur Dadayev and Anzor Gubashev were officially accused of 'the murder of Boris Nemtsov and three others are still suspects,' Anna Fadeyeva, spokeswoman for the court in central Moscow told the RIA Novosti news agency. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - OCTOBER 27: Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov attends an opposition rally in center of Moscow on October 27, 2013 in Moscow, Russia. Thousands of Russian opposition supporters marched through the Russian capital on Sunday protesting against President Vladimir Putin and calling for the release of people they cosider to be political prisoners. (Photo by Vasili Shaposhnikov/Kommersant Photo via Getty Images)

Stunned, thousands of Russians are laying flowers and lighting candles on this Moscow bridge ... where opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was gunned down late Friday night. The vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin was due to lead a march on Sunday against the war in Ukraine as well as Kremlin policies on the economy ... but organizers say they've canceled the event.

Critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin have a history of either being killed or forced to flee their homeland — Boris Nemtsov is just the latest.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 28: Police guards the place of murders of Boris Nemtsov on Moskvoretsky bridge in Moscow, Russia on February 28, 2015. Russian opposition leader and formed Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov was shot dead at night February 28 just a few steps from the Kremlin. (Photo by Dmitry Kuchev/Kommersant Photo via Getty Images).

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 28: Police officer guards the place of murders of Boris Nemtsov on Moskvoretsky bridge in Moscow, Russia on February 28, 2015. Russian opposition leader and formed Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov was shot dead at night February 28 just a few steps from the Kremlin. (Photo by Dmitry Kuchev/Kommersant Photo via Getty Images).

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov attends a rally against the war in Ukraine September 21, 2014 in Moscow, Russia. Thosands people gathered to protest against Vladimir Putin's policy and against the war with Ukraine in Donetsk and Lugansk regions. (Photo by Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 15: Russian opposition leader and formed Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov speaks during a rally against the policies and intervention in Ukraine and a possible war in Crimea, on March 15, 2014 in Moscow, Russia. Thousands of Moscouvits gathered for the rally in Central Moscow as Crimeans vote tomorrow on whether to secede and join Russia. (Photo by Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 12: Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov speaks as Russian anti-Putin opposition activists hold a 'March of Millions' rally on the National Day of Russia on June 12, 2011 in Moscow, Russia. 'Russia Day' is a national holiday since 1992 celebrating independence from the USSR. (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Epsilon/Getty Images)

Russia's Interior Ministry says Boris Nemtsov, a leading opposition figure and former deputy prime minister, has been shot and killed near the Kremlin. (Feb. 27)

A baby prepares to put a flower to the portraits of Boris Nemtsov during a memorial ceremony on Independence Square in Kiev on February 28, 2015. Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladmir Putin, was shot dead in central Moscow late Friday ahead of a major opposition rally this weekend, investigators and police said. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images)

RusNano State Corporation CEO Anatoly Chubais (2nd R) arrives with floweres on February 28, 2015 at the spot, where Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was shot dead, near Saint-Basil's Cathedral, in the center of Moscow. Nemtsov, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down while walking in sight of the Kremlin late on February 27, prompting an international chorus of condemnation. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER UTKIN (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER UTKIN/AFP/Getty Images)

A man cries on February 28, 2015 at the spot, where Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was shot dead, near Saint-Basil's Cathedral, in the center of Moscow. Nemtsov, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down while walking in sight of the Kremlin late on February 27, prompting an international chorus of condemnation. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER UTKIN (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER UTKIN/AFP/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 8: Suspects, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, are seen behind the bars at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Basmanny Court of Moscow held meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - 08 MARCH: Anzor Gubashev, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, is seen behind the bars at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Basmanny Court of Moscow held meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 08: Zaur Dadaev, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, is seen behind the bars at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Basmanny Court of Moscow held meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - 08 MARCH: Tamerlan Eskerkhanov, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, is escorted by policemen at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Basmanny Court of Moscow held meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - 08 MARCH: Anzor Gubashev, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, is seen behind the bars at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Basmanny Court of Moscow held meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - 08 MARCH: A suspect is seen behind the bars as Basmanny Court of Moscow hold meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia on March 8, 2015. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 08: Zaur Dadaev, charged with the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, is escorted by policemen at the Basmanny district court in Moscow, on March 8, 2015. Basmanny Court of Moscow held meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - 08 MARCH: A suspect is seen behind the bars as Basmanny Court of Moscow hold meetings to review the application for the arrest of suspects in the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia on March 8, 2015. (Photo by Nikita Shvetsov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Unidentified suspects detained over the killing of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov are escorted by policemen in a court corridor in Moscow on March 8, 2015. Five suspects accused of involvement in the killing of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov appeared in court to determine whether they will be officially placed in detention. Two Chechens, Zaur Dadayev and Anzor Gubashev were officially accused of 'the murder of Boris Nemtsov and three others are still suspects,' Anna Fadeyeva, spokeswoman for the court in central Moscow told the RIA Novosti news agency. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Up Next

See Gallery

Discover More Like This

HIDE CAPTION

SHOW CAPTION

of

SEE ALL

BACK TO SLIDE

(Reuters) - Three suspects in the killing of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov have probably been tortured while in detention, a member of the Kremlin's advisory council on human rights said on Wednesday.

After visiting three of the five ethnic Chechen suspects at Moscow's Lefortovo prison, rights activist Andrey Babushkin said the men detained over the Feb. 27 murder had suffered multiple injuries.

Nemtsov was the most prominent of a string of Kremlin critics to be killed during President Vladimir Putin's 15-year rule. The brazen murder in the heart of Moscow has shocked his colleagues and supporters, who say the investigation is a test of the rule of law in Russia.

Aides to the late liberal politician suspect Russia's state security apparatus is complicit in the crime. Putin has condemned the killing and vowed to bring its perpetrators to justice.

Officials say former Chechen policeman Zaur Dadayev, who is being held along with his cousins, Anzor and Shagid Gubashev, has admitted involvement in the murder. Dadayev and Anzor Gubashev have been formally charged.

"There are reasonable grounds to believe that Dadayev and the Gubashevs were tortured," Babushkin wrote on his website.

He said Dadayev had "multiple injuries" visible on his body, while Anzor Gubashev had abrasions around his nose, wrists and legs that were incurred after he was detained.

Dadayev served as deputy commander of Chechnya's "North" Battalion, which falls under the regional interior ministry. He has been awarded Russia's state order for courage for his service in Chechnya, a volatile North Caucasus region where Russian troops have fought two wars against separatists.

According to Babushkin's account, Dadayev said he was "kidnapped" on March 5 while arriving to the North Caucasus region of Ingushetia from nearby Dagestan.

Dadayev's friend and former colleague Rustam Yusupov was present when he was detained, Babushkin wrote, adding that the man had since disappeared.

Dadayev had been promised that if he admitted to murdering Nemtsov, Yusupov would be released, Babushkin said.

Babushkin called on the human rights council to inform Putin of his findings and said law enforcement agencies should investigate the torture allegations.

Allies of the late Nemtsov are scornful of the state investigation and say blaming the killing on Chechen Islamists is only aimed at deflecting suspicion from Putin, his inner circle or the security services.